Thursday, 21 August 2025

• CLASSIC WHALE TOUR | 09:00, 11:00, 13:00, 15:00, 19:30
• PREMIUM WHALE TOUR |10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 15:00, 19:00

All whale watching tours are on schedule today from Reykjavík! Remember to dress according to weather and feel free to put on the provided thermal overalls if needed!

Report from Eldey: This morning we left the harbour under grey skies, but luckily the ocean was very calm and there was no wind. We couldn't ask for more. Even though, a slight drizzle appeared from time to time, we still could enjoy some nice encounters. We spotted 3 minke whales, they were not extremely friendly with us but we were lucky enough to see them from time to time when they surfaced. We also spotted white beaked dolphins in two occasions, the first time it was only one individual that came a few times close to the boat. And the second time, we spotted a small pod of 3 individuals in the distance that were not very interested in us. However, before leaving back to port, there was a humpback whale that surfaced quite close to us and let us spend some time with it. Quite a good tour in the end!

- Guillermo

Report from Hafsulan: We set out in drizzling rain onto a calm bay, relieved to be moving out from under the rain clouds. We soon had our first sighting, a minke whale amidst some of the last Atlantic puffins still near the coast. Some dark fins slicing through the water soon drew our attention to another area. As we approached, we realized it was a pod of 6-7 white-beaked dolphins! This pod had 3 very young calves, accompanied by their mothers, coming quite close to check us out and even riding on the waves of our wake! As we continued on, we spotted another pod of 7-8 white-beaked dolphins, also rather curious, coming up-close to inspect us. It was wonderful to see their bodies through the water as they started a bit of now riding. It was so calm that we could hear when they came up to breath! We then headed into an area that seemed to attract a 2-3 minke whales as well as many feeding seabirds, such as the majestic plunge-diving northern gannets. These usually elusive whales were coming nice and close which was amazing! After many surface sequences, we waved our minke whales goodbye and headed back to port. What a great tour!

-Samantha Smith

Report from Elding: This afternoon the sea was smooth like glass, and the sun was peeking between the clouds. The first species we encountered was a shy minke whale! In this area, there were at least 5 minkes, so we moved on to look at the next ones before trying to find a different species. On our search, we encountered two pods of quick harbour porpoises who disappeared as soon as we saw them. A few minke whale sightings later, we began heading back to land. Then, suddenly, we spotted a lone humpback whale in the distance! We watched this whale give a majestic fluke dive before we had to say goodbye. What a way to end the tour!

-Sigrún Helgu

Report from Hafsulan: With calm seas and a light breeze, we set sail into the bay. Not too far from port we spotted one minke whale! This whale gave us an excellent few surface sequences before we continued onward further into the bay. As we were traveling we had another 2 minkes sporadically surfacing on either side of the boat. We then saw the blow of a humpback whale. This humpback gave us a great surface interval, before showing us that magical fluke! As we watched in anticipation, we spotted another minke whale and even a pod of 6 harbour porpoises. With no wind and minimal swell, it was amazing to be able to see these usually elusive cetaceans surfacing and feeding so many times! After another beautiful surface sequence and fluke dive from our humpback whale, we continued on to see if anyone else was out in the bay. We then had another group of 4 more harbour porpoises. These porpoises were a bit more elusive, and so we continued onward. We then had another minke whale which stole the show this afternoon, because it came to give us a boat inspection. This minke circled the boat countless times, it went back and forth under the boat keeping us on our toes. It was truly amazing to be able to see the entire minke whale through the surface, and track their movement by following those minke mittens (white pectoral bands). With time running short, we reluctantly waved our minke goodbye and headed back to port.

-Orsi Stipsicz

Report from Elding: We had the best conditions possible for this tour. The skies were pretty clear, the ocean was flat and there was just a weak breeze blowing. Soon after we left the harbour, we spotted a pod of 3 harbour porpoises. In the distance we saw a splash from a breaching humpback whale. It caught us off-guard so we could not enjoy it. However, we waited in the area some time to see it every time it surfaced to breathe. Here there was also a white beaked dolphin that came close to the boat a few times. Since, the humpback was not very friendly, we decided to go and look for something else. We stopped every now and then for a few minke whales, but we found the special one at the end of the tour. This minke whale was swimming around the boat for 10 minutes and it even interacted with us by blowing a bubble blast next to the boat. Definitely something that we will all remember. Unfortunately, we had to leave the whale alone and go back to the harbour.

- Guillermo

Northern fulmar, Northern gannet, Atlantic puffin, common guillemot, black guillemot, sooty shearwaters, lesser and greater black-backed gull, herring gull, eider duck, black-legged kittiwake